2021-22 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating | Page 38 | Golden Skate

2021-22 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating

TontoK said:
... Edit: Is this Misha's new partner? ... I think she's young.

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AFAIK, the only public information so far is that for two days of EWC shows, Mitrofanov and Collier will perform as a pair.
I think it remains to be seen whether they have embarked on a partnership for the long haul of competition together???

In any case, Hazel will turn age seventeen next month -- so she is younger than Audrey Lu.
And yes, Hazel is in the tweeted video.

TontoK said:
... I can't see that she has any pairs experience...
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In May 2020, Hazel was the guest for a SCOB Instagram Live as part of Jimmy Morgan's excellent series of interviews during the early months of the pandemic.
I was happy to tune into the Live after seeing Hazel in the Junior Women's competition at 2020 Nats, for which she qualified by placing second in Novice at her sectionals.
At the time of the Live, Hazel was age fifteen, and it was nice to get a sense of her poise and her fun personality.

TBH, specific answers from the interview had not really stuck with me.
But I have gone back to re-watch, and Hazel's interest/training in pairs did come up at several different points, FWIW.
Disclaimer that I am not transcribing anything verbatim -- am only paraphrasing some bits:

- From the very beginning, Hazel took Learn To Skate at SCOB, and looked up to SCOB's older skaters.
When asked for examples, Hazel immediately named Marissa (Castelli), which led to Jimmy asking Hazel about any interest in pairs. Hazel said that she naturally wanted to skate pairs to be like Marissa.
- Asked about future goals, Hazel included possible pairs opportunities as part of her answer, as well as aspirations that seemed to be in reference to her singles career.
- Asked about her full plate of both school and training, Hazel mentioned that she had added pairs during the previous school year (if I understood the timeframe correctly). My interpretation is that she meant that without being in a partnership (although I could be wrong about that), she had added pairs training to her singles training.
- Toward the end, Jimmy asked some viewer questions. One of them was, "Are you still planning to do some pairs?" Hazel's answer started with: "We'll see ..." (It was during the extended and disruptive period when skaters were not allowed to train on ice at all, because of the pandemic.)

(May 2020)

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAigcQXDuFo/​
 
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Wow, @ice coverage that's a lot of info! Thank you for your summary of the interview.

I guess we'll see where this goes... if anywhere.

I'm sad to see a promising pair split ways, but who can say what the reasoning is. I suppose if Misha is adamant about 2026 and Audrey was not... the time to make the change is sooner rather than later.
 
TontoK said:
I am disappointed. I thought they had tremendous promise for this quad.

Edit: Is this Misha's new partner? I can't see that she has any pairs experience... but we'll have to see. I think she's young.

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I kind of wonder if Kate Finster could skate with Misha. She’s free, right?

Also, it’s of course sad to see a promising partnership end, but—what an opportunity for Chan & Howe! Knierim/Frazier and CainGribble//LeDuc have to be thinking about retirement—especially if either ends up medaling at Worlds—and the only other US team really competitive at the highest levels is Calalang/Johnson.

So, Emily & Spencer, a door has opened for you. May you do well and walk through it.
 
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BlissfulSynergy said:
I wonder what the impetus was for the split.
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I saw in the Partnership Splits thread that @gold12345 attributes the Liu/Mitrofanov split to the fact that (as fans had recently discussed), L/M still struggled with lifts even after 6 years together, largely because of Audrey growing to 5'4" -- also they both have introspective personalities, which made it difficult for both of them to project or connect emotionally with each other in their performances. With this view of the situation in mind, the split makes more sense.
 
Seven Sisters said:
I kind of wonder if Kate Finster could skate with Misha. She’s free, right?
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She seems to be free every year about this time.
Seven Sisters said:
Also, it’s of course sad to see a promising partnership end, but—what an opportunity for Chan & Howe! Knierim/Frazier and CainGribble//LeDuc have to be thinking about retirement—especially if either ends up medaling at Worlds—and the only other US team really competitive at the highest levels is Calalang/Johnson.

So, Emily & Spencer, a door has opened for you. May you do well and walk through it.
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K/F are now the most decorated pairs team in, I believe, US history (World Gold, Olympic Silver). If I were USFS I would be doing anything I could possibly think of to keep them around.

I looked it up and have to correct myself. There was a brother/sister pair in the 1950s who also had World Gold/Olympic Silver as well as two additional World Silvers.
 
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Congratulations to K/F!!! Very happy for them!!!!

But I didn't see the performance -- seeing Ashley lying on the ice, I was so upset. I must be really emotionally invested in them. I swear I kind of dry heaved/almost vomited. Deja vu. I had to turn off Peacock -- I couldn't watch. Still don't want to think about it. But that doesn't take away from recognizing Alexa and Brandon's accomplishment! What an achievement.
 
This is not official, but on TSL today, Dave mentioned off-the-cuff that Danny O'Shea had a tryout with Olivia Serafini recently (U.S. Pairs), which would mean that Chelsea Liu apparently has decided not to return. That's so sad, because she and Danny had matched so well together. Aside from Chelsea needing to get her jumps in order, they were pretty exciting together.

However, it's important that Chelsea take care of her health and work on fully recovering from the concussion she unfortunately suffered. Her life and well-being are more important than figure skating. And she can be proud of her accomplishments, no matter what.

As we know, Serafini had split with Mervin Tran early last year. These type of tryouts are usually not revealed to the public unless a pairing is in the offering. But Dave has his insider sources, and he has a tendency to leak information randomly during his broadcasts. He was discussing the 2022 World pairs event, when he made this aside, in reference to the fact that the U.S. will have three pairs spots available next season. Dave erroneously thinks that the U.S. won't have anyone worthy to send. He's very wrong.

Despite the break-up of Lu/Mitrofanov, Misha already has a new partner and they will be working hard. Chan/Howe are a promising team. And Calalang/Johnson are quite magical -- all they need to do is find some way to get their sbs jumps more solid because they are world class on everything else. I'm not sure why Dave doesn't realize that. He made an unfunny joke about Jessica's eye make-up while wondering if they would come back. Of course, C/J are still in the mix. They are not that old, and they have always given the indication of wanting to continue fighting competitively.

With only three spots available for Worlds next season, if K/F and C-G/LD decide to return, only one spot will be up for grabs. I would imagine that spot would go to Calalang/Johnson. If either K/F or Ash/Timothy retire, Chan/Howe will likely step into the picture. And there are a number of teams with potential coming up the ranks who will have energy, excitement and motivation about a World championship U.S. pair team existing within their midst.
 
BlissfulSynergy said:
This is not official, but on TSL today, Dave mentioned off-the-cuff that Danny O'Shea had a tryout with Olivia Serafini recently (U.S. Pairs), which would mean that Chelsea Liu apparently has decided not to return. That's so sad, because she and Danny had matched so well together. Aside from Chelsea needing to get her jumps in order, they were pretty exciting together.

However, it's important that Chelsea take care of her health and work on fully recovering from the concussion she unfortunately suffered. Her life and well-being are more important than figure skating. And she can be proud of her accomplishments, no matter what.
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Indeed, yes, to the above. (y)

BlissfulSynergy said:
As we know, Serafini had split with Mervin Tran early last year. These type of tryouts are usually not revealed to the public unless a pairing is in the offering. But Dave has his insider sources, and he has a tendency to leak information randomly during his broadcasts. He was discussing the 2022 World pairs event, when he made this aside, in reference to the fact that the U.S. will have three pairs spots available next season. Dave erroneously thinks that the U.S. won't have anyone worthy to send. He's very wrong.
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This is exactly what Dave has done with other pairs teams, especially with Ashley and Timothy in the years when they were struggling. He was positive about them for a couple of years, and then he started saying unkind things about them and suggesting they split, Tim get a new partner, etc. and all kinds of snide remarks. I learned to ignore it. Then, he changed his tune this year. It was actually comical seeing Jonathan Beyer practically get whiplash from having his negative remarks about C-G/L all ready to go (his face is easy to read), and then realizing Dave's comments had taken a new direction.

Lease does often get actual news items right ahead of time. But unfortunately, his innuendo and negative predictions do have a harmful effect.
 
ManyCairns said:
Congratulations to K/F!!! Very happy for them!!!!

But I didn't see the performance -- seeing Ashley lying on the ice, I was so upset. I must be really emotionally invested in them. I swear I kind of dry heaved/almost vomited. Deja vu. I had to turn off Peacock -- I couldn't watch. Still don't want to think about it. But that doesn't take away from recognizing Alexa and Brandon's accomplishment! What an achievement.
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It was hard to watch to be sure. The performance was great though.

I watched Ashley’s video today where she said she felt shame and I wanted to throw up also. She should not be feeling shame.
 
skylark said:
Indeed, yes, to the above. (y)



This is exactly what Dave has done with other pairs teams, especially with Ashley and Timothy in the years when they were struggling. He was positive about them for a couple of years, and then he started saying unkind things about them and suggesting they split, Tim get a new partner, etc. and all kinds of snide remarks. I learned to ignore it. Then, he changed his tune this year. It was actually comical seeing Jonathan Beyer practically get whiplash from having his negative remarks about C-G/L all ready to go (his face is easy to read), and then realizing Dave's comments had taken a new direction.

Lease does often get actual news items right ahead of time. But unfortunately, his innuendo and negative predictions do have a harmful effect.
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That’s why I don’t listen to or watch him. I saw him at Cranberry Cup and managed not to beat him senseless. Sometimes I have incredible self restraint.
 
tulosai said:
bluntly I don't think Cain and LeDuc can realistically hope to get any better results than they got this season no matter how long they continue to skate.
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This is the kind of remark that Ashley and Timothy have had to hear, read about, etc. ever since they partnered up. There have been many posts on this forum and another figure skating forum, for years now, baldly stating and predicting that because of their (lack of) height difference especially, they just didn't have the potential to excel in pairs. This year especially, those posters were proven wrong.

Fortunately, Ashley and Timothy had belief in themselves, a vision for their skating, and a desire to "make a space" (their words) for other teams who might not have exactly the expected formula in terms of ways that pairs skating can develop artistically and athletically.

They kept on improving their pairs elements, little by little, every year. This, in spite of people refusing to acknowledge any improvement. And in spite of people claiming that improvements in their elements weren't even possible.

Ashley, Timothy, their coaches and choreographers simply held to their vision, developed their elements, and took their skating forward step by step. This year their efforts showed the results. The judges showed that they wanted to reward Ashley and Timothy's skating and artistry, once they developed consistency over the season. I was thrilled.

Whatever Ashley and Timothy decide to do going forward is fine by me. I'm so grateful for their dedication to synchronicity and their music, their commitment and connection to each other and audiences, and their athletic and artistic vision. I'd love to see more of their skating in competition. And I want what's best for them as human beings, for their health and welfare. If they choose not to continue, I'll be sad for me but so happy for all they've accomplished. But I decided to challenge predictions that they just can't do any better.

Blessings to both Ash and Tim, and prayers and love for them now and going forward. :ghug::pray:❤️❤️❤️
 
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moonvine said:
K/F are now the most decorated pairs team in, I believe, US history (World Gold, Olympic Silver).
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Well, K/F join an exclusive club, as Tai mentioned when she tweeted K/F her congratulations! Tai & Randy obviously were in the hunt for Olympic gold, which may have ended up Olympic silver, if not for Randy's leg or groin injury. So, I think of Tai/Randy as being at the top of the ladder, because in their era, under John Nicks' tutelage, they were also innovators. Tai gave a shout out to John Nicks too; he coached Meno/Sand, among many other champion skaters. So, clearly an important legacy has been and is being passed down.

In addition, the first U.S. and North American pair team to ever medal at a World championship are Karol & Peter Kennedy.* They accomplished this record first in 1950, post WW-II. While Europe was rebuilding, the U.S. began to dominate in figure skating disciplines throughout the 1950s, especially in singles.

*In 1952, Karol & Peter Kennedy won Olympic silver. So the Kennedys were the pioneering originals, as the first U.S. pairs team to win World gold and Olympic silver, in a very different era. The Kennedys also won four World silver medals, beginning in 1947! IMO, that would place Alexa/Brandon third on this exclusive list because their anticipated Olympic silver was achieved in the team event, taking nothing away from how well they performed as part of a team. IMO, Tai/Randy are first on the list due to their longevity, their major contributions, and their hardware: two-time U.S. silver medalists; five-time U.S. National champions; two-time World bronze medalists; 1979 World champions; favored to win silver or gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics prior to Randy's unfortunate injury. In 1976, they also placed 5th at both Olympics and Worlds. Early in their career, Tai/ Randy won medals at Nebelhorn Trophy and at Coup des Alpes. However, those were not the kind of events we see today. We should also keep in mind, there was no GP/GPF; no senior Bs, no Challenge Cups. There were very few competitions held annually. Had the international competitive framework existed then that we have today, Tai/ Randy would surely have won a ton of other medals.

Not to forget other great U.S. pairs champions. For e.g., I think JoJo Starbuck/ Ken Shelley should be on this list. In addition to being mentors to Tai & Randy, JoJo/Ken are two-time World bronze medalists; three-time U.S. National pairs champions, and they won bronze and silver at U.S. Nationals; in 1969 and 1971, they won silver and gold respectively at the former North American championships (4CCs was later created as perhaps a replacement for this event); plus JoJo/Ken were U.S. National junior pairs champions in 1967, and they placed 4th at the 1972 Olympics -- nothing to sneeze at, especially during a time when the Russians were dominating. Keep in mind too, that the Knierims won a slew of medals during their partnership, and Haven/Brandon also won numerous medals nationally and internationally, including their 2013 junior World championship. The Carruthers are another decorated U.S. pairs team, and there are other U.S. teams who won major medals.

There's no way we can leave out Jenni Meno/Todd Sand, who were great champions in their era. They won numerous international medals, including World silver in 1998, and World bronze back-to-back in 1995-96. That's just the tip of the iceberg, as Meno/Sand won bronze, silver and gold medals at Champions Series events, the precursor to Grand Prix Series (including Skate America, NHK Trophy, et al); they are two-time U.S. silver medalists; and three-time U.S. National champions; combined with placing 5th at the 1994 Olympics, and 8th at the 1998 Olympics. Toward the mid-to-latter years of their career, Jenni/Todd had a fierce domestic rivalry with Ina/Dungjen (Ina later partnered with John Zimmerman, and they were the last U.S. pairs team to medal at Worlds, in 2002).

It is very possible that Jenni/Todd are the most decorated U.S. pairs team in history, because they won numerous medals together and with other partners (especially Todd -- who had great success with Natasha Kuchiki, nationally and internationally: 6th at the Olympics in 1992, and World bronze medalists in 1991). As I mentioned in the 'partnerships split thread,' while checking these stats, I discovered that Todd Sand started his career in men's singles representing Denmark! (Todd's father is Danish). Todd is a two-time national men's champion of Denmark. He also competed for Denmark at Europeans, twice! I also remember that Todd & Jenni (in the mid-1990s) appeared on a cover of Dance Magazine -- they were celebrated as 'dance artists on ice'! As Alexa, and many of their other students have said, Todd & Jenni are great coaches as well as very kind people, who truly care about the lives of the young people they train.

Being married, and knowing what it is like to be partnered with each other while dating and being married, made Jenni/Todd perfect as coaches of the Knierims. Since Jenni/Todd know what it is like to skate with different partners, that also made them ideal to guide Chris, Alexa & Brandon through the process of splitting and coming together on ice to form a new partnership. Chris seems very happy now too in his role as a coach at the Irvine rink!
 
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skylark said:
If they choose not to continue, I'll be sad for me but so happy for all they've accomplished.
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Sadly, it sounded to me like Ashley, in her update, was placing her and Timothy's career in a 'past' context, which is likely another reason why she is so broken up over what happened. Maybe that is not the case, but perhaps they had no plans to continue after this season? Now, with the concussion she suffered, that might be what adds to their decision. I hope otherwise, but I'm not feeling very optimistic that they plan to return.

I do hope that Alexa/Brandon will stay on for at least another year, because they may be able to bag medals and monetary rewards on the GP in the fall. Of course, I will respect whatever choice they end up making.
 
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